Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando plays second fiddle to Disney World, and for good reason. Outside of the excellent Harry Potter exhibits, everything here is fairly ordinary. It doesn’t exude specialness like Disney somehow manages. I really wish they hadn’t split Harry Potter between their two theme parks. But of course that forces most people to shell out two sets of $100 tickets like we did, so you can see why they did it. Here’s what I would do in the future: get a single day, park hopper (called park-to-park) ticket and just visit the two Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections. We visited Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure while staying at the Orlando/Kissimmee KOA campground. Those looking for a water park should check out Universal’s Volcano Bay.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was our favorite part of the Universal parks

Universal Studios Florida

You may as well head straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area, called Diagon Alley. Upon entering you are immediately and totally immersed in Harry’s world. I was very impressed. The build quality and overall experience is easily up to, if not exceeding, Disney standards. No expense was spared to mimic London of a bygone area, with all the shops from the Harry Potter franchise present. Indeed, Universal spent $500 million building Diagon Alley!

Diagon Alley features a dragon that periodically roars and breathes fire

Slowly browse through the bizarre and wondrous shops that may exist in a fantasy world. Wait in the line at Ollivander’s Wand Shop (makers of fine wands since 382 BC) to watch a wand choose its wizard. It’s worth it. And spend the $50 to get a wand. After a little practice (and with the map and spell instructions provided with each wand) you’ll find many secret places in which to perform a wide range of spells throughout the entire Diagon Alley, and also in Islands of Adventure’s Hogsmeade Village. Super-fans can buy a wizard cape and scarf showing allegiance to their favorite Hogwarts House: Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. The main ride is called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and it is excellent. It’s part roller coaster and part special effects. Here’s a tip: the line is always long, but if you’re willing to ride solo, just hop into the single rider line and you’ll be enjoying this ride in no time.

We ate lunch at The Leaky Cauldron, a take on traditional British food that presumably would be served at Hogwarts. We really enjoyed our meal. Karla had the Cottage Pie and I ordered the Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew. We shared Sticky Toffee Pudding for desert. Karla also had a Butterbeer. Is the food up to the standards of a good pub in London? No. But compared to most victuals found in a theme park, which are simply heated up pre-made crap, this was surprisingly good.

You can grab a bite at the Krusty Burger in Springfield

Universal Studios Florida is also home to The Simpson’s Springfield, Fast and the Furious, Men in Black, Revenge of the Mummy, and Jimmy Fallon’s Race through New York. We enjoyed a live Fear Factor Show and a small Blues Brother’s concert. This park has areas designed to transport you to San Francisco and New York. The large featured roller coaster is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit featuring a 90 degree ascent angle and speed of up to 65 mph.

A Despicable Me float travels through Universal Studios Florida at prescheduled times

The Blues Brothers put on a live concert

Universal Islands of Adventure

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area here is called Hogsmeade and is just as spectacular as Diagon Alley, but this time lorded over by the edifice of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry castle. Much like Universal Studios Florida, there is an Ollivander’s Wand Shop and plenty of places to try your magic wand. The main ride, called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, was alright. The visual effects were awesome and you felt like you were flying through Hogwarts on a broom, but the herky-jerky motion to mimic sudden stops and drops was annoying.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Castle

Village of Hogsmeade

With a Park-to Park pass you can ride the Hogwarts Express Train between the Harry Potter areas of both parks (between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley)

Since we were at the park during the Christmas season, we stayed for the Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter light show, which takes place at sunset at Hogwarts Castle. This show was phenomenal. If you’re visiting during the season definitely stay until dark, and stake out your place a good 30 minutes before the show. The previously dark castle comes alive with impressively complex light projections, coupled with a rousing music score. Here is a good review of the show.

Hogwarts during the nighttime holiday light show

Other features in Islands of Adventure include: the large green Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dr. Suess Land where we took in a live performance of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Marvel area including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Looney Tunes area, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Jurassic Park area, and Poseidon’s Fury.